President Milanović Meets in Tivat with the President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani

The President of the Republic of Croatia Zoran Milanović met in Tivat today with the President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani. The meeting was held ahead of the summit of heads of state of the Brdo-Brijuni Process. The two presidents discussed Kosovo’s progress towards Euro-Atlantic Integrations, and President Osmani thanked President Milanović and Croatia for their continuous and clear support to Kosovo. They further discussed current events and the situation in the region in the scope of preparations for the summit of the Brdo-Brijuni Process, and the importance of bilateral relations between Croatia and Kosovo, which have been described as excellent.

Prior to the summit, a cultural and artistic programme was organized for the heads of state in the Old Town of Kotor: the traditional kolo dance of Saint Tryphon was performed by members of the Boka Navy. It is a unique and centuries-old tradition, which in 2022 was inscribed in UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and a symbol of the cultural heritage of the Croats of Bay of Kotor representing an important part of the history and identity of Croats in the Bay of Kotor. The celebration of Saint Tryphon and kolo dancing are deeply rooted in the culture of the residents of Bay of Kotor.

“I am happy to have had the opportunity, together with President Milatović and other presidents of member states of the Brdo-Brijuni Process to enjoy the kolo dance of Saint Tryphon, a dance performed by the Boka Navy. This cultural phenomenon, together with the Boka Navy, represents the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Croatia and Montenegro, which was protected by UNESCO, and an important bond between the two states, and their value is not only national but has become a part of the world cultural heritage”, President Milanović stated after the programme in Kotor.

PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Marko Beljan